1990 firebird formula 350 won't start
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Joined: Dec 2014
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1990 firebird formula 350 won't start
Okay everyone I'm helping out my friend. He loves this car and I'm just trying to learn more about these cars. This car is amazing and takes me back. Now we seem to have a few issues with the car. Okay
1: the dashboard lights won't come on at all.
2: the center section tail-lights in the rear won't light at all unless I use the powerprobe 3 to directly apply power.
3: the car is having some issues starting up. The security light isn't lit so I ruled out its not the vats system.
4: the car won't start up at all it cranks but won't start. We checked for fuel and the pump primes and we can hear it. The schrader valve when opened does not gush out fuel. The fuel doesnt come out just a little not alot.
Things we have done so far
-Changed the coil
-Checked for spark no spark just one flicker just a blip no constant spark after that.with the grounding trick with the sparkplug spark ground wire trick.
-checked for power at the distributor wire harness with powerprobe yes there was power confirmed.
-tried squirting starter fluid in the intake manifold it ws trying hard but no cigar.
Did not check the ICM that is deep in the motor. Looking to do that next.
I'm out of ideas here guys help me help my friend achieve is dream. I know someone's out there been through this already please thanks.
1: the dashboard lights won't come on at all.
2: the center section tail-lights in the rear won't light at all unless I use the powerprobe 3 to directly apply power.
3: the car is having some issues starting up. The security light isn't lit so I ruled out its not the vats system.
4: the car won't start up at all it cranks but won't start. We checked for fuel and the pump primes and we can hear it. The schrader valve when opened does not gush out fuel. The fuel doesnt come out just a little not alot.
Things we have done so far
-Changed the coil
-Checked for spark no spark just one flicker just a blip no constant spark after that.with the grounding trick with the sparkplug spark ground wire trick.
-checked for power at the distributor wire harness with powerprobe yes there was power confirmed.
-tried squirting starter fluid in the intake manifold it ws trying hard but no cigar.
Did not check the ICM that is deep in the motor. Looking to do that next.
I'm out of ideas here guys help me help my friend achieve is dream. I know someone's out there been through this already please thanks.
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 175
From: Milwaukee
Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: 1990 firebird formula 350 won't start
1: Check for power and ground. Find out why the dash does not light anything. Fuse. Bad wire. Bad ground.
2:I'm not sure about the "center section" of the tail lights. The brake lights? The actual center section has no bulb to power so I'm not sure where you're talking about.
3: How can you rule out the VATS when the dash doesn't light up?
4: Buy, borrow, or rent a fuel pressure gauge. Find out what it reads. If the gauge reads low it very well could be a bad filter, clogged line, or low voltage/ bad ground to pump.
ICM deep in the motor? Its just under the distributor cap. But start checking grounds and try to systematically find the issues. Everything you listed has a electrical relation so it could be a bad grounding point on the body, motor, battery etc.
2:I'm not sure about the "center section" of the tail lights. The brake lights? The actual center section has no bulb to power so I'm not sure where you're talking about.
3: How can you rule out the VATS when the dash doesn't light up?
4: Buy, borrow, or rent a fuel pressure gauge. Find out what it reads. If the gauge reads low it very well could be a bad filter, clogged line, or low voltage/ bad ground to pump.
ICM deep in the motor? Its just under the distributor cap. But start checking grounds and try to systematically find the issues. Everything you listed has a electrical relation so it could be a bad grounding point on the body, motor, battery etc.
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theshackle
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Mar 5, 2017 06:37 PM